A2Functional

Learn to Make Predictions in English – Easy A2 Guide

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Hello English learners! Today, we’re going to learn about making predictions in English. Making predictions means talking about what you think will happen in the future. This is a really useful skill for everyday conversations. Understanding how to talk about the future is important for spoken English practice and for understanding what other people are saying.

What are Predictions?

Predictions are statements about what we think will happen in the future. We make predictions all the time! For example:

  • “I think it will rain tomorrow.”
  • “She is going to be a doctor one day.”
  • “The team will win the game tonight.”

In English, we use different grammar structures to make predictions. At A2 level, we will focus on two main ways: using “will” and “going to“. These are important parts of the English Future Tense and understanding them will really boost your English grammar skills.

How to Make Predictions Using “Will”

We use “will” to make predictions based on what we think or believe will happen. It’s often used for:

  • General predictions about the future: “People will live on Mars in the future.”
  • Predictions based on opinions: “I think the movie will be very interesting.”
  • Spontaneous predictions (decisions made at the moment of speaking): “Oh, the phone is ringing! I will answer it.”

The structure is simple: Subject + will + base form of the verb.
Let’s look at some more examples:

  • “They will arrive late.” (opinion)
  • “It will be cold tonight.” (general prediction)
  • “Don’t worry, I will help you.” (spontaneous decision)

We often use “I think“, “I believe“, or “I’m sure” with “will” to make our predictions sound softer or more polite. For example:

  • “I think it will snow next week.”
  • “I believe she will pass the exam.”
  • “I’m sure they will enjoy the party.”

How to Make Predictions Using “Going to”

We use “going to” to make predictions based on present evidence or plans. We use it when we can see something now that makes us think about the future. It’s also used for planned actions in the near future which are very similar to predictions when talking about personal futures.

  • Predictions based on evidence: “Look at those dark clouds! It is going to rain.” (We see clouds, so we predict rain).
  • Predictions based on plans: “We are going to travel to Italy next summer.” (This is a plan, but also a prediction about the future).
  • Something is about to happen: “Be careful! He is going to fall!” (We see he is losing balance).

The structure is: Subject + be (am/is/are) + going to + base form of the verb.
Here are more examples:

  • “She is going to have a baby.” (We see she is pregnant – evidence).
  • “I am going to study English tonight.” (This is a plan).
  • “The price of petrol is going to increase again.” (Based on current trends – evidence).

Notice how “going to” often feels more certain than “will” because it’s based on something we know or see now.

Key Differences: “Will” vs. “Going to” for Predictions

Let’s quickly compare “will” and “going to” for making predictions in English:

  • “Will”: Used for opinions, general predictions, and spontaneous decisions. It’s often less certain and based on what we think or believe.
  • “Going to”: Used for predictions based on present evidence or plans. It’s often more certain because it’s based on something we can see or know now.

Think of it this way: If you have a feeling or an opinion, use “will“. If you see something that makes you think about the future, or if you have a plan, use “going to“.
For example:

  • “I think England will win the World Cup.” (Opinion – using “will”)
  • “Look at the score! England are going to win the match!” (Evidence – using “going to”)

Common Phrases for Making Predictions

Here are some useful phrases you can use when making predictions in English:

Phrases with “Will”:

  • I think…
  • I believe…
  • I’m sure…
  • I expect…
  • Probably…
  • Maybe…
  • Perhaps…

Examples:

  • “I think it will be sunny tomorrow.”
  • “Probably, she will come to the party.”
  • “Maybe they will buy a new car.”

Phrases with “Going to”:

  • It looks like…
  • The signs are…
  • It seems…
  • According to…

Examples:

  • “It looks like it is going to snow.” (Looking at the sky)
  • “The signs are that the economy is going to improve.” (Based on news/reports)
  • “It seems like he is going to be late.” (He is usually late)

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s time to practice making predictions! Choose the best option (“will” or “going to”) to complete the sentences.

Exercise 1: Will or Going to?

  1. Look at those black clouds! It ___ rain soon. (will / going to)
  2. I think Real Madrid ___ win the Champions League this year. (will / going to)
  3. “The phone is ringing!” “I ___ answer it!” (will / going to)
  4. She is pregnant. She ___ have a baby in a few months. (will / going to)
  5. I believe people ___ travel to other planets in the future. (will / going to)

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences.

Complete the sentences using “will” or “going to” and the verb in brackets.

  1. I think she ___ (pass) her driving test.
  2. Look at that car! It ___ (crash)!
  3. They have decided. They ___ (get) married next year.
  4. Do you think it ___ (snow) tomorrow?
  5. I feel terrible. I think I ___ (be) sick.

Answers:

Exercise 1 Answers:
  1. going to
  2. will
  3. will
  4. going to
  5. will
Exercise 2 Answers:
  1. will pass
  2. is going to crash
  3. are going to get
  4. will snow
  5. am going to be

Practice Speaking Predictions with Lingofrnd

Learning grammar is important, but spoken English practice is key to improving your fluency! Do you want to practice making predictions and improve your speaking confidence? Lingofrnd.com is your AI spoken English teacher! With Lingofrnd, you can have conversations, practice using “will” and “going to” in real situations, and get instant feedback. It’s a fantastic way to improve your spoken English practice and build confidence in making predictions in English.
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We hope this lesson has helped you understand how to make predictions in English using “will” and “going to”. Keep practicing, and you will become more confident in talking about the future. Good luck with your English learning journey!